Few Q's on T40,

[amw_drizz]

Hello everyone,

Last week or so I picked up an IBM ThinkPad T40. Listed in the ad from ebay was Graphic issue which required hard reboot to fix. Well I really didn't do all the research I should of on the issue. After I got the computer I Discovered that the GPU needs to be reballed (not ReFlowed) since the GPU lacks the Red/Black dots on it.

I've already bought ram for it, and I was/am (depending on final repair decision) going to get a new 320 WD HD for it to replace the installed 40gb hd.

Anyways, I am thinking about getting a new system board (if it can be had for under $75) I found a few T40 board for 35-75 excluding shipping.
Boards
http://www.bobjohnson.com/_store/displa ... &MPID=gofr

Or

http://www.deal-stop.com/MBIB013_IBM-TH ... er=froogle

I am leaning towards this one since they state new bulk stock. So it "should" last a couple of years with care on not to torque the base.

Another thing I've read about using R51 boards, but I also need to get a new LCD screen as well? If I decide to get a T40 board would it be better to get a T40p / T42 / T42p board instead? The screen is the 14" (not the same size as the 15" on my mothers Dell E1505)

(I've tried the cardboard trick and is a no-go just makes it worse).

TIA Jon

[RealBlackStuff]

The bobjohnson mobo is the standard mobo with ATI Radeon 7500, that may eventually develop the GPU problem.
Don't know what they refurbished, but it's definitely cheap, including even a CPU.

The dealstop mobo is the wrong type, that's for an(almost antique) i1400. Will not fit/work in a T4x.

If your current T40 has an XGA screen (1024x768), an R51 mobo will also work.
But if it is SXGA+ (1400x1050), the R51 mobo will not work.
BTW: R51 mobos only have 1 PCMCIA slot.

Read this post, has all the info you need: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=85371

[amw_drizz]

I read through that post, and for some reason I found it confusing. Esp when it talked about the R51/R52 boards and XGA/SXGA+ Screens and what not.

Anyways, are the R51 boards better? What are the differences between the R51 and T40 (asides the R51 being newer, I think).

I have the XGA (1024x768) screen. I really don't use the PCMCIA (card bus if I got the abbreviation wrong) Except when I am at home and not in my room for my aux netgear wifi card that is a/b/g so I can use the g capabilities of my A.P. and get extended range.

Would the infamous GPU issue surface in the R51 board?

Also will anything from my T40 board work in the R51? ie CPU & Ram? since I just got a 1gb stick for the T40 board.

Jon

EDIT:: How about the following boards?

Clicky

or

Clicky

Both are in my "target" price range since I am already $110 in with new parts and would like to keep the total laptop & parts under $300-$350 (otherwise the gamble was a lost and could of bought a new refurb with 2yr warranty for $400-$500)

[RealBlackStuff]

The R51 mobo with integrated Intel graphics will never develop the loose GPU problem, that's why people like this board.
However, it can only drive XGA (like what you have).
It will fit in all T40/T41/T42/R50/R51 models, but NOT in the T43/R52.
You can transfer everything over from your current board, except the PCMCIA cage.
I would suggest to get the one from Laptopaid, which includes a bottom, the proper cage and other spare parts you may need at some time...
I'm not sure about the CPU cooler you have now, but if it's the short one, it will fit.

If you want to save a few bucks now, you can have your mobo reballed at GPU Medics for $45.-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0594506709

[amw_drizz]

I thought about having it reballed. But decided against it for now. I am looking at getting the R51 board / case that you suggested and then deciding down the road on what to do with the T40 board.

I just wasn't sure what boards would be an somewhat compatible for what I have now.

[amw_drizz]

Well after some searching on ebay, I found this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0549000177 went ahead and bought it. So next week I will be doing the transplant so I can get the laptop working again.

[RealBlackStuff]

It's your money, but the Laptopaid mobo would have been $25.- cheaper and just as good!
Or is there something you know that we don't know?

[amw_drizz]

The laptopaid board was an ATI 7500 GPU. Even though it was indicated it was Intel, Got the model type of 1829. It took some looking and comparing FRU numbers listed on eBay to the lenovo site to get the right one. And I was looking for the Intel GPU to solve the GPU issue.

[amw_drizz]

Would DDR 2100 instead of 2400 or 2700 cause a non-boot? Otherwise the laptop gods don't want me to have a second laptop. Since mine is now at a 6 one sec beeps, 1pause 3 pause 3 pause 1. Looked it up either SO-DIMM Module or board. And I don't have the extra $50.00 to go and drop on a new pc2700 SO-DIMM just to test the board.

If I can't get it running by monday night / tuesday I am putting my old one back to gether and pray that it works still, then figure out something with it. Since the GPU has already been reflowed on it. (old t40 board) And return the R51 board for a refund since every time I've tested it, it just wont boot. That and the R51 board has a 14day warranty.

[RealBlackStuff]

The T40 requires PC2100 RAM, but is able to also run with PC2700 RAM (but only at PC2100 speed).
There is no PC2400 RAM.
Beeping 1-3-3-1 means there is no RAM found. Try the module in each slot, both single and mixed.
If no combination works, your mobo is toast (provided the RAM was working before...).

[amw_drizz]

yea the ram was working in the t40 board but it is not working in the r51 board.

Edit.. I am going to call a local computer shop here in town and see if they have the correct ram on hand. If they do I am going to try it, since reading this thread -> http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=84153 it seems that the R51 will not work with PC 2100 and requires PC2-4200 in order to operate. IF the machine boots up then I'll order some new ram and call it a day. If not I am returning the board.

EDIT 2 ::: I am confused... the document I downloaded says R51 PC2-4200, online it says PC-2700... Which is it? Cause if it is the PC2-4200 I have that in my dell laptop that I could try to test the board, I don't have PC-2700.

[RealBlackStuff]

The R51 requires DDR RAM, not DDR2!
Besides, DDR2 sodimms won't even fit in the R51 (nor in R50,T40/41/42 slots for that matter).
DDR PC2700 is the preferred RAM for the R51, but it should also run with PC2100.
Don't even try those PC2 4200 modules, you will damage the slot and/or the module!

Just send that wretched board back for a refund!

[amw_drizz]

Alright RMA/Refund request done, hopefully tonight I will know if they will honor there warranty on it. In other news I picked up a T40 today for $20.00 working (doesn't seem to have the GPU issue yet) Same CPU as the one I had before, just an older model. We shall see. Either way tonight I am putting my first T40 back together. And make sure it still works. After that I may buy that refurb T40 board and get both laptops 100% working and sell one, so I can recoup some of the costs.

Or I might. KEYWORD MIGHT try for another R51 if I can find one that is good and works. IDK yet.

[amw_drizz]

Alright, Figured I would update everyone on this. I finally got a work R51 setup with a bad screen. It came with the same CPU, 512mb of ram and everything. Whole laptop w/ A/c adapter just a screen on its way out (white spots, lines, vertical bar about 2" wide down the middle right of the screen that was a greenish color)

So after swapping out everything I now have a T40 "Frankenstein" R51.

[RealBlackStuff]

Which you could probably designate as a TR45.
Glad to hear you (finally) got it going.